Study to evaluate the changes in polycystic ovarian morphology after naturopathic and yogic interventions

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders in women, with a prevalence ranging from 2.2% to 26% in India and 9.13% in South India. The present prospective pre post experimental controlled study was aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Naturopathy and Yoga (N & Y) interventions on morphological changes in the ovaries in PCOS patients in 12 weeks duration. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted at Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India. The study was a single blinded prospective, pre post experimental controlled trial. METHODOLOGY: A total of ninety PCOS patients, of age between 18 and 35 years were recruited and allocated to three groups as per convenient sampling, control group (n=30), Yoga intervention group (n=30) and N & Y intervention group (n=30). After satisfying the inclusion criteria of the study and according to their immediate participation, they were allocated to either of the interventions group or in the wait listed control group. The three groups were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks for changes in polycystic ovarian morphology, and were assessed at baseline, after every 4 weeks and after 12 weeks for anthropometry and menstrual frequency. During these 12 weeks, the N & Y intervention group was exposed to the intervention, the Yoga intervention group was exposed to Yoga practice of the intervention protocol for 6 days per week and the control group was wait listed. RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in the ovarian morphology (P < 0.05), except for ovarian thickness (P = 0.27), anthropometry (P < 0.001), except for waist hip ratio (P=0.23) and menstrual frequency - in the interval of days between the second and third consecutive menstrual cycle (P < 0.001), except for the interval of days between LMP and first consecutive menstrual cycle (P = 0.66) and between first and second consecutive menstrual cycle (P=0.76), between the three groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study indicate that N & Y interventions are efficient in bringing about beneficial changes in polycystic ovarian morphology and anthropometry. Longer duration of intervention might be required to regulate the frequency of menstrual cycle. Hormonal assessment can be performed in future study for further validation

Study to evaluate the changes in polycystic ovarian morphology after naturopathic and yogic interventions

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders in women, with a prevalence ranging from 2.2% to 26% in India. Patients with PCOS face challenges including irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, acne, acanthosis nigricans, obesity and infertility. 9.13% of South Indian adolescent girls are estimated to suffer from PCOS. The efficacy of Yoga & Naturopathy (Y&N) in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome requires to be investigated. Aims: The aim of the present study is to observe the morphological changes in polycystic ovaries of patients following 12 weeks of Y&N intervention. Settings and Design: The study was conducted at the Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India. The study was a single blinded prospective, pre-post clinical trial. Methods and Material: Fifty PCOS patients of age between 18 and 35 years who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria were recruited for the study. According to their immediate participation in the study they were either allocated to the intervention group (n=25) or in the wait listed control group (n=25). The intervention group underwent Y&N therapy for 12 weeks. Change in polycystic ovarian morphology, anthropometric measurements and frequency of menstrual cycle were studied before and after the intervention. Results: Significant improvement was observed in the ovarian morphology (P<0.001) and the anthropometric measurements (P<0.001) between the two groups. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that Y&N interventions are efficient in bringing about beneficial changes in polycystic ovarian morphology. We speculate that a longer intervention might be required to regulate the frequency of menstrual cycle